Primark: On The Rack – Panorama Preview – Monday, 23th June 2008, 9pm, BBC One
Friday, June 20th, 2008Monday 23th June 2008, 9pm, BBC One
http://www.bbc.co.uk/panorama
Panorama puts Primark’s claims that it can deliver cheap, fast fashion without breaking ethical guidelines to the test. Posing as industry buyers in India, the programme’s reporter Tom Heap and his team find some of India’s poorest people working long, gruelling hours on Primark clothes in slum workshops and refugee camps far away from the Primark approved and inspected factories; breaking promises on child labour, working hours and wages. When presented with the results of the investigation Primark sacked 3 suppliers and announced it was setting up a children’s foundation.
Primark said it was unaware of the actions of its suppliers. They say they represent a tiny proportion of their supply chain and that its reinforcing its stringent ethical standards in meetings with suppliers. Primark statement released June 16th 2008 below:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs/18_06_08_primark.pdf
Their direct response to the Panorama programme will be on the Panorama
website after the programme airs on BBC1: http://www.bbc.co.uk/panorama
